It's a real shame that no live Buffalo Springfield album has ever been released. I think they're a great band, and it's said they put on a killer live show. Even the bootlegs that exist are very few, and generally suffer from poor sound quality. Almost none of them are worth listening to more than once, in my opinion.
But this bootleg is a very big exception. True, it's an audience recording. There are no good soundboards of the band, except for their 1967 Monterey Pop Festival performance (officially released as part of a box set for that concert), but that's less than 20 minutes long, and Neil Young wasn't there. This is the best bootleg of them by a mile. It turns out that some fan asked the band if they could set up a reel-to-reel recorder right on the stage, and they were granted permission. So, while it's not a soundboard, it's far better than the usual audience bootlegs of that era.
The one disappointment about this recording though is that Neil Young isn't on much of it. He had a habit of quitting the band and rejoining. (His above-mentioned Monterey Pop Festival absence is another example of that.) The August 11, 1967 concert happens to have taken place during one of the many times he'd quit. Young was replaced by guitarist Doug Hastings for this show.
Still, hearing the band without Young has some silver linings. It means more chances for everyone else in the band to shine, especially singer-songwriters Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. One even gets to hear Stills sing Young's "Mr. Soul," which he never did on record.
I've looked over the set lists of the band, and the vast majority of the time, they played a short set as an opening act. So we're lucky to get an unusually long performance by them. (The recording is an hour and 16 minutes long.) They played two sets, with "Bluebird" the end of the first set.
There's a lot of fun talking between songs. It's clear the band members were having a good time. There also are some interesting song selections. "Nobody's Fool" is a Richie Furay song that was never recorded by the band. It would later appear on Poco's first album. And other than this concert, there are no recordings of the band playing Wilson Pickett's classic soul hit "In the Midnight Hour," with a rare lead vocal by drummer Dewey Martin.
I've edited down some of the dead air between songs. Especially in the second set, there was very little talking between songs, but a fair amount of boring guitar tuning. I got rid of most of that. I didn't remove any instances of them actually talking.
Neil Young rejoined the band very next day, August 12th, and they played another concert at the same venue with him. For some reason, there is a recording of only three songs that appear to come from that second evening, with the same sound quality: "Go and Say Goodbye," Mr. Soul," and "Bluebird." Thus I've added them to the very end. Even though they're all duplicates of songs earlier on this album, I feel it's worth it having both versions, due to the rarity of good live recordings by this band, as well as the presence of Young. We know for sure Young is there on those three songs, because he can be heard talking between songs, and he also sings (especially on "Mr. Soul") and plays lead guitar in his distinctive style.
There were some problems with these three songs as well, in terms of volume. The overall volume tended to rise and fall for no apparent reason, and the volume of the two stereo tracks also changed in relation to each other. I did what I could to fix these problems. It so happens the recording has fairly wide stereo separation, with most of the vocals on just one channel. I also used the UVR5 audio editing program to boost the lead vocals relative to the instruments. As a result, the vocals in particular sound clearer than they ever were before.
In conclusion, don't be afraid of the sound quality issue. Yes, the sound is a bit rough. But it's pretty much this or no live Buffalo Springfield recordings at all. Personally, I think it sounds just fine. It's actually better than many soundboards from that era.
01 Pay the Price (Buffalo Springfield)
02 talk (Buffalo Springfield)
03 Nobody's Fool (Buffalo Springfield)
04 Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing (Buffalo Springfield)
05 talk (Buffalo Springfield)
06 Rock and Roll Woman (Buffalo Springfield)
07 talk (Buffalo Springfield)
08 My Kind of Love (Buffalo Springfield)
09 talk (Buffalo Springfield)
10 For What It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield)
11 talk (Buffalo Springfield)
12 Bluebird (Buffalo Springfield)
13 Mr. Soul (Buffalo Springfield)
14 talk (Buffalo Springfield)
15 Go and Say Goodbye (Buffalo Springfield)
16 Hung Upside Down (Buffalo Springfield)
17 talk (Buffalo Springfield)
18 In the Midnight Hour (Buffalo Springfield)
19 Do I Have to Come Right Out and Say It (Buffalo Springfield)
20 Leave (Buffalo Springfield)
21 talk (Buffalo Springfield)
22 Go and Say Goodbye (Buffalo Springfield)
23 talk (Buffalo Springfield)
24 Mr. Soul (Buffalo Springfield)
25 Bluebird (Buffalo Springfield)
https://pixeldrain.com/u/PWsSANgx
I found some really cool Buffalo Springfield artwork that looks like a concert poster from that time period, but I'm guessing was actually done much later. Regardless, I liked that so much that I used it for the band name and the framing around a central photo. I had to do some tweaking and cropping to get it to fit the square shape.
For that center photo, I found a photo of the band playing at a small club called the Cellar in Arlington Heights, Illinois, in 1967. It's a low res photo, but I think it does a good job of showing what they probably looked like during this concert. I can only imagine the "Salty Cellar" was a similarly small venue.
This is a great find! Thank you! I was just reading and it sounds like there might be 3 songs available somewhere from the following night with Neil!? Not sure though, thought you might be able to find them.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I've been looking into that as well. There's a discussion about this going on at the Steve Hoffman music forums right now. I believe I've found those three extra songs, and they're great. I'm going to add them in. But before I do, I'm trying to figure out what this should really be called, because it seems there's no "Teen and Twenty Club" per se. Sounds like it probably took place at a club called the "Salty Cellar," but I'm not sure.
DeleteYa I was reading that. That guy did some great work. So amazing that something like this can actually be found. A little disappointing to listen to this show without Neil playing. Doug Hastings just isn't doing it for me. I'm surprised that he seems to take more of the lead than Stephen. Still great to hear of course.
DeleteIf you're talking about the person in that forum who speculated the performance actually took place at the Salty Cellar, that's me. :) I've been trying to figure it out specifically so I can correctly update my post here.
DeleteBy the way, do you have the ear to identify who is playing lead guitar when? If so, you should post that info in this thread. I usually can't tell most of the time (unless it's really distinctive, like Neil's style).
Yes I was. Good research! I always appreciate the clarification of things that goes on this website.
DeleteI'll take a listen to the show again There were a few instances the first listen where I could hear Stephen's guitar which is pretty distinctive. And I think I now have a handle on Doug Hastings' sound. I feel like he's trying to sound like Neil or at least play Neil's parts.
It's funny because it was your post on Hoffman that brought this show to my attention and the first place I came to look for it was here. That was easy!
DeleteI lived in Huntington Beach in 1970-71 and remember the Salty Cellar.
DeleteNice. But it would be really great if you (or someone you know) could confirm if Buffalo Springfield played there or not.
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ReplyDeleteGUITAR PARTS:
Pay The Price - Doug Hastings plays the louder lead lines.
There are two solos at about 2:25 and 3:43. In both cases it sounds to me like Stephen Stills starts the solo for about 10 seconds and then DH comes in at about 2:34 and 3:53.
Nobody's Fool - Starts with SS guitar. For the solos I can't tell if two guitars are coming in. I hear SS at 1:33 for sure and at 2:20 I'm hearing DH.
Clancy - Nothing too distinctive here. Can't tell.
Rock And Roll Woman - at 3:48 DH starts the solo (louder) and then SS comes in right after 3:52 with that other lick, the one that's in the studio recording. Then they go back and forth like what we've always heard about. But it's not Neil :(.
SS parts are cool though. 5:25 DH does the the same atonal type solo and SS sounds like himself.
My Kind Of Love - solo at 1:27 DH all the way. 2:28 DH, SS soloing too at the same time.
For What It's Worth -DH sounds good doing Neil's part here. At 1:10 you can hear all 3. DH on Neil's harmonic part. Richie doing light chords. Stephen picking the famous riff. Solo at 1:56 is DH.
Bluebird - DH opening riff and continues to lead. At 1:12 SS it must be comes in with a nice lick, then DH follows with an awkward one at 1:17. 2:00 on to 3:00+ I think it's DH doing a more traditional solo but kinda sounds like SS. Solo at 4:10-6:30 that's SS I think. Then DH solos at 6:30 to 9 wish. You can here SS at 10:45-10:50.
Go And Say Goodbye - I think DH is doing most of the work as SS is singing but you can hear SS's lick at the very beginning, second guitar.
Hung Upside Down - I think it's DH doing the opening.
Who's playing bass at this show? SS comes in around 1:30, solo's until 1:52.
The DH does the main lick/chords. Can hear Ritchie back there. 3:15 - 3:37 SS.
Great vocals Stephen!
In The Midnight Hour - DH riffing I think. Solo at 1:15 I think is SS
Do I Have To Come Right Out And Say It - Not sure. I still think DH is the louder guitar, I'm hearing it in my left headphone. I hear SS in the right.
Leave - This ones tougher . Starts with DH soloing and SS chording. Solo at 1:38 is DH. Solo at 2:30 is DH too, SS joins in for a few seconds at the end at 2:38.
Mr. Soul - Opens with SS guitar solo until 3:20. DH come in to solo at 3:20. 5:30 SS starts some cool riffing while DH continues to solo. SS does the familiar solo at 8:52 to 9:38. DH from 9:38 to 10:20. Final solo at 11:45 is DH.
Thanks for the info! You definitely have been ears than I do.
DeleteAlejandro Escovedo’s quote grabbed my attention because I remember a night when I’d come out of the Golden Bear, walked a block down the street and saw a club advertising Buffalo Springfield. I stood on the sidewalk and listened to a band playing inside. I couldn’t make out the songs. I still kick myself for not going inside, but it was late, and I probably didn’t have much money left. A buddy of mine has mentioned hearing Love in a club in that location called The Pavilion which was within earshot of the Golden Bear. That might be the venue that we’re searching for.
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DeleteThanks for that info. Do you remember when that was?
DeleteWhen I did some research on this, I remember the mention of another place near the Golden Bear. That probably was the Pavilion. But Escovedo specifically mentioned seeing BS at the Salty Cellar. And the Salty Cellar was a teen club and the other place wasn't.
I worked at The Salty Cellar in the Spring of 1967. There were only TWO of us who worked there. It was only open on Friday and Saturday nights. No Food, no alcohol, only sodas for sale. It was billed as a teen age night club. It was located on Pacific Coast Highway just a few yards from the Golden Bear which itself was just a few yards from Main Street, Hesperia. Across PCH was the Pier and next to it was The Pavalon or Pavillion which was a much bigger dance place and had many big bands. Ike and Tina, Sonny and Cher, Dick Dale, etc. The Golden Bear was a restaurant with alcohol and catered largely folk and blues groups. Golden Bear was there for decades. In late 60s or early 70s, Pavilon burned down and was never opened again as a music venue. The Salty Cellar was yep, a cellar beneath an auto repair shop, not a restaurant. However just a few yards more down PCH was a Jack in the Box. There was a Teen and Twenty. The Teen and Twenty occupied the Salty Cellar at a different period in time. The Salty Cellar usually had local bands such as Limey and the Yanks, The California Sons, The Mods, or The Blues Syndicate. Really small stage, really small dance area. The biggest group that played there when I worked there was The Fifth Dimension who were booked long before their records came out. Having said there was only TWO of us there who worked there that meant we sold the tickets, we sold the cans of soda, we cleaned the joint at the end of the night, locked it up, and went home. There was really no area to set up any recording gear, but if someone had a reel to reel they could have plugged it in and hit record. There was no house PA because, well, it was just too small to need one. I don't think it was less than 1000 square feet Total. The stage was small. A 6 piece band would have been real crowded. Buffalo Springfield already had some big hits so I doubt they would have played at the Salty Cellar unless it happened earlier in their career and fell into it like The Fifth Dimension.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback. Actually, although Buffalo Springfield is in the rock and roll hall of fame and is very popular today, they were extremely underappreciated back when they were together. They were often considered a one hit wonder, and that one hit (For What It's Worth) was in 1966, making them out of date as well. I've seen a list of the places they played, and they played some extremely small places, like college dorms. So I wouldn't be surprised if they played there. But I guess the jury is still out.
DeleteHello all. I have some info regarding those two nights in question. I was there, as my brothers band, Crabgrass, opened for the Springfield. The venue at that time was called The Syndicate 3000. Prior to that it was indeed called Teen and Twenty Club, then before that it was Salty Cellar. The Crabgrass was the house band there for nearly a year, and yes, it was virtually right next door to the Golden Bear. I have lots of stories about that place, and my brother's band. More later if anyone is interested. DG
ReplyDeleteThanks for that info. I would be interested in hearing more. When was it called the Syndicate 3000 exactly, and for how long? Would you or your brother have any info that would confirm when bands like Buffalo Springfield played there? Something like an ad or playbill or photos would be awesome.
DeleteThat photo is from The Cellar in Arlington Heights, Illinois-May 13, 1967. John Harrold
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ReplyDeleteHello Paul. My brother passed away in 2017, but he had playbill, photos, etc. I will see if I can find some pics from that time. The two owners who bought that venue, Joe Andara and Gil (I can't remember his last name) renamed the club from The Salty Cellar to The Teen and Twenty Club and later to Syndicate 3000. If I remember, that would have been in late 1967. I do stand corrected, in that when the Springfield played there, it was called Teen and Twenty! I hung out there a lot with my brother, Ed and his band. Elvin Bishop, Paul Butterfield, and others would come down and jam with the Crabgrass after their sets at the Golden Bear from time to time. They also opened for Ian Whitcomb and Them, right after Van Morrison left. Anyway, lots of memories from those days. DG
ReplyDeleteHey Paul, Guess what? I was digging around and found a playbill for those two nights! I haven't found band pics from those nights, though! darn! How can I upload a jpeg? PM me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this comment and the above one. I'd love to see a playbill! If you're right, I'll have to change the name of the venue (again). Maybe I could use the playbill for new cover art, if it looks good. If you have an image in jpeg format already, you could just email it to me. My email address is thompson22 @ runbox.com. (Remove the spaces.) I don't have the info to PM you, so try email. Thanks.
DeleteIt took me a while, but I finally got around to changing the venue name for this place, thanks to those playbills you sent me. Thanks a lot. :)
DeleteDoug Hastings is an old pal of mine from wayback. There is a video of him with the Sprinfield playing Bluebird
DeleteHello "Unknown". That would be cool to see that video, as it would bring back memories of those times for myself and a younger sister of mine. Ask Doug if he remembers much about that night at the Teen and Twenty. Happy New Year to you and yours! DG
ReplyDeleteHi is it possible you can reupload this? Thanks for all your work on this blog!
ReplyDeleteLink fixed.
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